338 Ultra Mag vs 340 Weatherby

[tfjar15]

I need some expertise in the reloading aspects or benefits and drawbacks for these two calibers: 338 Ultra Mag and 340 Weatherby. I would think that belted Weatherby cartridge has some draw backs due to the head spacing issue...i.e.….little more finicky on accuracy, pertaing to the double radii. I am looking on sending this gun out ASAP to make this year’s elk season. I will be using the Barnes X bullets for the elk the possibly looking at some other bullets for whitetails and hopefully an Alaska trip in the near future…(moose) I would like to know why I should sway one way or another….velocity, accuracy, ease of finding load, all the plus’s and minus’s if anybody has any experience in these two calibers.

[sambo3006]

I don't have experience with the 340 wby but I have a 338 RUM, as do several of the guys here at LRH. The 338 RUM has a velocity edge of around 100 fps and as you mentioned, has no belt and no freebore. It is capable of sterling accuracy. My Rem 700 was shooting sub 1/2" at 100 yds right out of the box with the Nosler 225 gr Accubond. Brass is cheaper for the RUM. Having said that, there are several guys who shoot the 340 Wby and love it. Practically there is little difference in these two rounds. It probably boils down to personal preference.
A case can be made for the 300 RUM, which is quite popular among the long range guys. It is capable of shooting the 200 gr Nosler Accubond at 3200 fps out of a 26" barrel, and has an outstanding (for big game bullets) ballistic coefficient of .588 . This compares to 3100 fps for the 225 gr AB out of the 338 RUM with a BC of .550 . The 300 RUM has a slightly greater case capacity than the 338 RUM, and brass is available from sources other than Remington if that matters to you.
You should get lots of input on this topic from guys with lots of experience. Welcome to LRH and good luck this fall!
Sam

[Boman]

Both my father and I have .340wby's. We love them. His is a Wby Accumark and mine is full custom job on a Rem 700 action. Both of ours are extremely accurate. Dads shoots about .70moa when he does his part. Mine is about .4-.5 when I do mine. We both shoot Barnes Trip shock bullets. I have never found it difficult to load for at all. The brass last for about 6-7 loadings, but we load ours pretty hot.

I really think it comes down to personal preference. Most guys chose based on the factory rifle that chambers them. But since your having yours built you could go which ever way you want.

If I wanted a long range elk gun and was building it now. I'd go for a Shawn Carlock .338 Edge.

Right now my .340Wby is an ultralight weighing 5.75lbs without scope. And I love it for close up shooting and out to 700yds. Its my main hunting rifle and my backpacking rifle as well.

Pick what excites you. Good luck and have fun! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Eaglet]

Boman,

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Right now my .340Wby is an ultralight weighing 5.75lbs without scope.

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Tell us, does it have a muzzle break? I feel it doesn't, I'm I wrong? If I'm right after you shoot it from the bench 5 times for how long dol you put hot and cold patches on your shoulder? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] It's gotta hurt!!!

[remingtonman_25_06]

No kiddin, I'm thinking the same thing. Im thinking maybe he has it ported to keep the weight down.? Theres no way you could get me to touch that off! I thought my 300 RUM with 220g's at 3000fps out of a 9.5lb rifle was quite a bit.

[RDM416]

Both are great rounds, and you cannot go wrong with either. I have two Weatherby's and like them, so I am not a Wby basher. But that said, I would go with the 338RUM. Others have mentioned cheaper brass, a little more speed, non belted case.........all are positives. I have a 338RUM in an HS-Precision and it shoots great.

The 338 Edge is also a good improvement over the RUM but you have to fire form brass. Not a real big deal, but worth considering. It will get you some more speed though and that is always a good thing [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Last, put a muzzle brake on that thing!! You will not regret it. For long range shooting you will need to be looking at the heavier bullets 225's and 250's. (I like 250grn Sierra Match Kings myself) With those larger bullets and a full load of powder you will get a real wake-up call if you don't have a brake [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[Boman]

Hey Guys,
Yeah my rifle does have a muzzle break on it. I've shot it without and lets just say it was... unpleasant. All up with a scope and loaded its right at 7lbs.. I'm changing the scope out to an IOR so that will increase the weight to about 8lbs. Still not much.